Flathead Industries offers a Recreation Program that is coordinated and staffed as a team effort of residential, work services and administrative staff. One aspect is teaming up with the Glacier Area and Montana State Special Olympic program. Special Olympics Montana is a 39-year-old movement that enables children and adults with intellectual disabilities to train for life through sports. In the winter months, Flathead Industries participates in downhill skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing, with the help of DREAM volunteers, for Special Olympic competitions at Whitefish Mountain Resort. We are also building a dynamic floor hockey team.
In the spring months of April and May, we turn our attention to swimming, cycling and power lifting opportunities for Special Olympic Area and State competitions. Each athlete is encourage to give their personal best, and rewarded with ribbons, medals, as well as cheers as they cross the finish line. Finally, Flathead Industries offers basketball team competition as well as bowling in the fall and pre-winter months. (www.somt.org)
Other recreational opportunities that individuals in Flathead Industries services may choose are the many outdoor activities, carnivals, and fairs that are held throughout the summer months. Those interested in a hike in Glacier Park, with a boat ride, may take off on a sunny morning and return with tales of waterfalls, wildlife or wild flowers that were seen. For others, a swim at the lake, an ice cream enjoyed in the park, or a visit to a local attraction such as the Conrad Mansion may be of more interest. Staff offer supervision and transportation for these events and help keep individuals informed of all the activities available in the Flathead Valley.
As summer is winding down, Flathead Industries takes their traditional 3-day camping retreat at the Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp on the west side of Flathead Lake south of Lakeside. With a tradition of singing around the campfire, swimming, fishing as well as a chance to get out on the water in a canoe or kayak, individuals look forward to this time of relaxation all year. And of course there is the dance held in the mess hall that cannot be passed up!
Our recreational program is a team effort that could not be successful without the efforts of the residential and work services direct care staff making the plans and providing the supervision. However, for more information, the best, first contact would be Susan Bonin, at 755-7656, ext. 230 or sbonin@centurytel.net.
